The Tamil Nadu government has strongly opposed the Centre’s decision to withhold education funds under the Samagra Shiksha scheme unless the state fully implements the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The dispute has revived debates on federalism, language policy, and financial autonomy in India’s education sector.
Centre’s Stand: No Funds Without NEP Compliance
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently stated that Tamil Nadu must accept NEP 2020 “in letter and spirit” to receive ₹2,158 crore in central funding. He argued that the state must align its policies with national directives and follow the “established framework of governance.”
Speaking at the Kashi Tamil Sangamam in Uttar Pradesh, he also criticized Tamil Nadu’s rejection of the three-language formula. He accused the state government of adopting a divisive approach by resisting national education reforms.
Tamil Nadu’s Response: Allegations of Blackmail
Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Poyyamozhi accused the Centre of attempting to “pave the way for another language war.” He reaffirmed that Tamil Nadu’s two-language policy has worked effectively for decades. Imposing Hindi, he argued, disrupts the existing system.
He quoted former Chief Minister CN Annadurai:
“We are asking for rights, not a favour. We ask for what is lost, not a loan. We are asking for what was snatched from us, not alms.”
Chief Minister MK Stalin condemned the Centre’s stance, calling it an act of political blackmail. He warned that if the Centre denies Tamil Nadu its rightful share of funds, the state’s strong opposition will intensify.
Financial Burden on Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu’s government highlighted the severe consequences of losing central funding. Over 4 million students and 32,000 teachers rely on these funds. The state is already covering major education expenses, including:
- ₹76 crore per month for teacher salaries, totaling ₹920 crore annually
- ₹400 crore per year for the Right to Education (RTE) scheme
- Financial support for girl-child protection programs, which remain underfunded
State Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu questioned why Tamil Nadu, which contributes 9% to the Centre’s GDP, faces conditions when seeking its rightful share of education funds.
NEP 2020 and the Language Policy Debate
The dispute has reignited Tamil Nadu’s long-standing resistance to the imposition of Hindi. The state has followed a Tamil-English language system for decades, rejecting the three-language policy outlined in NEP 2020.
Pradhan’s remarks on enforcing the policy have drawn sharp criticism. Many opposition leaders argue that northern states have not adopted regional language education despite the NEP’s guidelines. They see the Centre’s pressure as one-sided and unfair.
Opposition’s Stand: Federalism at Risk
Opposition parties, including the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), have condemned the Centre’s approach. PMK President Anbumani Ramadoss emphasized that education funds are a constitutional right, not a reward for NEP implementation. He insisted that withholding funds undermines federal principles.
Experts argue that forcing states to comply with national policies through financial pressure weakens democracy. Since education falls under the Concurrent List of the Constitution, both the Centre and states have policymaking authority. Any unilateral imposition is legally questionable.
Conclusion
The dispute between Tamil Nadu and the Centre over NEP 2020 funding has brought critical issues into focus. Should states be forced to implement national policies at the cost of their financial autonomy? Or should education policymaking be a collaborative effort? As Tamil Nadu continues to resist, the larger battle over governance and federal rights intensifies.
